88R14125 DIO-F
 
  By: Cortez H.B. No. 4369
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to continuing education requirements for dentists
  regarding pain management with certain prescription medications.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 257.005, Occupations Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f),
  (g), and (h) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The board shall require a licensed dentist whose
  practice includes direct patient care to complete, in accordance
  with this section, not less than two hours of board-approved
  continuing education [annually] regarding safe and effective pain
  management related to the prescription of opioids and other
  controlled substances, including education regarding:
               (1)  reasonable standards of care;
               (2)  the identification of drug-seeking behavior in
  patients; and
               (3)  effectively communicating with patients regarding
  the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substance.
         (d)  A dentist must complete the hours required by Subsection
  (b-1) in each of the first two renewal periods following the
  issuance of the dentist's initial license, with two of those hours
  to be completed not later than the first anniversary of the date of
  issuance. 
         (e)  After the period described by Subsection (d), a dentist
  must complete not less than two hours of continuing education
  described by Subsection (b-1) every eight years.
         (f)  The hours required by this section may be completed in
  any continuing education program approved by the board.
         (g)  The hours required by this section may not be used to
  satisfy any education requirement established by board rule for
  certified pain clinic personnel.
         (h)  Notwithstanding Subsections (d) and (e), a dentist who
  on September 1, 2023, holds a license to practice under this
  subtitle shall complete not less than two hours of continuing
  education described by Subsection (b-1) in each of the two renewal
  periods occurring after that date. This subsection expires January
  1, 2028.
         SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the State
  Board of Dental Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to implement
  Section 257.005, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
         (b)  Section 257.005, Occupations Code, as amended by this
  Act, applies only to an application for renewal of a license
  submitted on or after January 1, 2024. A renewal application
  submitted before January 1, 2024, is governed by the law in effect
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former
  law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.